“I have to present some solid data to [el CEO de Stellantis] Carlos Tavares, if not, I wouldn’t even think of asking him for anything.” This is how the round table begins with journalists from Germany, France, the United Kingdom and Spain, the CEO of Alfa Romeo, Jean-Philippe Imparato.
Fortunately, its brand is in possibly its sweetest moment since the PSA and FCA groups merged to create the behemoth that is Stellantis, the fourth-largest manufacturer by global sales, in January 2021.
The Franco-Italian-American consortium, under the leadership of Tavares, has shown impressive operating results, even superior to the giant that has dominated Europe: the Volkswagen Group. In the first half of 2022, Stellantis reached an Ebit of 12,374 million, while the German group added 11,358 million.
It’s not just — but also — the opportunity the semiconductor shortage has provided to focus on higher-margin models and sales channels, such as premium finishes and particulars, respective examples. This situation has proven to be especially favorable with premium manufacturers.
“In all my experience in the automotive world, I have never faced a situation of pent-up demand like now,” Imparato said. He, who has cleaned up Alfa Romeo’s accounts by reducing production costs at the Cassino factory, has now set himself the goal of “dominating segments D and E.”
For this reason, its brand has obtained better results in the first half of 2022 than in the full year 2021. Looking to the end of the year, Imparato considers that this trend will consolidate and that it will continue to give benefits.
“It is the only way to compete in the premium category on a global scale,” says the manager, who in terms of price has set German manufacturers such as Mercedes-Benz or BMW as rivals.
“Once we have achieved this, it will be time to play,” he declared, referring to the possibility of resurrecting some small models, such as the Mito or the Giulietta, albeit in a zero-emissions way. “For now, in 2025 we will be the first Stellantis brand to use the new STLA Large electric platform”, which will probably be destined for a large SUV.
Imparato is not worried about the changes in distribution that Carlos Tavares has taken in China. Alfa Romeo, along with Jeep, is one of Stellantis’ most successful brands in that market, and its operations now involve abandoning losing local factories to focus on an import model. While this was the case with SUVs, “Alfa never intended to make in China,” he said.
At the moment, Alfa Romeo is heading the Stellantis Premium business area (which also includes DS and Lancia). With orders arriving in the next three months, profitability above the rest – the group’s was 14.1% in the first half – and a renewed agreement for the next Formula 1 season, the future looks bright.